Uitenhage

Known as the Garden Town for its bountiful gardens and plethora of Strelitzias, the farming village of Uitenhage is a pretty destination on the banks of the Swartkops River in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality. The mild and lovely climate of the region is what keeps its flowers blooming, and the town is ideally situated between Port Elizabeth and the famous Addo Elephant Park, making it a relaxing and picturesque stop along the way. An array of astonishing hikes and biking trails are on offer, and nearby Swartkops Beach provides wonderful opportunities for swimming, surfing and kite-surfing. An incredible wealth of history begs to be discovered: visitors can see a delightful collection of Victorian and Settler architecture and several well-maintained heritage buildings. Locomotive enthusiasts should make sure to stop in at the nostalgic Old Railway Station Museum.